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Mazda 5 vs Kia Rondo

806 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 2:38 PM

You are in the Mazda Mazda5 Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Kia Rondo, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Wagon


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#147 of 806
Re: compared them at the auto show [prulex] by rwm2
Jun 04, 2007 (4:19 pm)
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Replying to: prulex (Jun 04, 2007 8:14 am)

The category of Subaru? Check this out:
 
http://www.strategicvision.com/auto_segmentwinners.php?year=2007&award=TQA&seg=19
#148 of 806
Re: compared them at the auto show [rwm2] by dakota29803
Jun 08, 2007 (5:58 am)
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Replying to: rwm2 (Jun 04, 2007 4:19 pm)

Go to this site, scroll to the bottom, to see the JD Powers ratings of initial quality of 2007 makes. Kia is just above average, Subaru is way down,
 
http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/pressrelease.aspx?id=2007088
#149 of 806
Re: JD Power Initial Quality Study by conwelpic
Jun 08, 2007 (2:39 pm)
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Replying to: dakota29803 (Jun 08, 2007 5:58 am)

and to quote "Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007", that just shows how fast the quality is improving - should put some of those skeptics to rest!
#150 of 806
Re: JD Power Initial Quality Study [conwelpic] by coolmazda5
Jun 09, 2007 (4:09 am)
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Replying to: conwelpic (Jun 08, 2007 2:39 pm)

conwelpic replied:
and to quote "Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007", that just shows how fast the quality is improving - should put some of those skeptics to rest!

 
Good job for KIA (somebody posted the other day that the KIA CEO is a big fan of quality, which always supports this case).
 
Now, as I mentioned earlier, with regards to (wrt.) quality, yes, KIA may have improved greatly if you like, but the car is still a KIA. Quality is supporting KIA to become a better brand, but the skepticism does not only come from quality itself, but also from its unique style, features, design, etc. KIA still lacks style and design to say the least. I would give it another 5 years to get there (i.e. to fight Toyota, Honda or even Nissan).
#151 of 806
Re: compared them at the auto show [arumage] by coolmazda5
Jun 09, 2007 (4:35 am)
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Replying to: arumage (Jun 04, 2007 8:25 am)

Arumage replied:
All those things are nice, but if you can't fit in the vehicle, what good are they to you? I didn't fit in the Forester. I had to spread my legs apart to keep my knees from hitting the front seat when sitting in the rear. My head also touches the ceiling in the 2nd row. I fit like a glove in the Rondo, even with the driver's seat all the way back.

 
The priority to buy a car should be in the seat(s) you and your loved ones drive or ride 95% of the time. Now, if you are chauffeured or have teenager kids 5'9'' or up, Arumage brings a good point. Yet, in that case, I would go for a Lincoln TownCar or a Suburban, not a Rondo, a Forester or a Mazda5.
 
Some questions that could help:
 
- When is the last time I rode in the back seat of my own car? (my case: never, I also have a 1999 Honda, bought brand new)
 
- How many times Have I used the full car capacity, with the 3rd row unfolded, a total of 5 adults, a baby on its car seat and the stroller? (my case: once in 2 years, the big stroller actually fits! but one of its front wheels was sticking out of the 3rd row back seat. Greatest comfort for the passengers: No, accomplished the goal: Yes. Would I do this everyday: No! )
#152 of 806
Re: JD Power Initial Quality Study [coolmazda5] by dakota29803
Jun 09, 2007 (5:31 am)
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 09, 2007 4:09 am)

I own a Kia and have rented a Kia; I have rented a Nissan, The Kias were far better cars that the Nissan. I used to be a Nissan (actually Datsun)fan, but no more. The Kia is a far better car. If you buy your car for style (looks) at the expense of functionality then go elsewhere. I think the Kia Rondo is a far more attractive car than the Honda Fit, Honda Element or any of the Scions. YMMV
#153 of 806
Re: JD Power Initial Quality Study [dakota29803] by coolmazda5
Jun 09, 2007 (9:47 am)
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Replying to: dakota29803 (Jun 09, 2007 5:31 am)

dakota29803 replied:
If you buy your car for style (looks) at the expense of functionality then go elsewhere

 
Hmmm... I have a Mazda5, so we got the style (looks) at no functionality expense (ask my wife, car is very versatile and looks great )...
 
dakota29803 replied:
I think the Kia Rondo is a far more attractive car than the Honda Fit, Honda Element or any of the Scions

 
I'm 100% with you on that one! The models you listed are ugly .
 
My comment was more oriented to more down-to-earth cars like the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Quest or Nissan Altima (even the 300ZX, but that is not really a concept targeting family cars).
#154 of 806
Re: compared them at the auto show [coolmazda5] by arumage
Jun 09, 2007 (10:05 am)
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Replying to: coolmazda5 (Jun 09, 2007 4:35 am)

I often have my current vehicle, a 1999 Camry, filled to capacity. I also have friends as tall as I am. I wish for those that I am transporting to be comfortable. That goal would be completely unachieved in Mazda5 or Forester. The point is that I don't need a larger vehicle to achieve that goal. I'm 45 minutes from a large city, and with gas being the way it is, we like to travel in the same vehicle. Currently, we have the choice between a Tahoe and an Explorer, or to take two vehicles. None of those propositions is very attractive to me. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are both fairly short, but my wife, father-in-law, and my sister-in-law's boyfriend are all tall so the Rondo is a perfect fit since two rows are comfortable for those of above average height. The Mazda5's last two rows are not adequate for tall people. The Forester's second row isn't either. Why should I get a vehicle bigger than I need? The other vehicle I am considering at the moment is the Hyundai Santa Fe, which gets poorer gas mileage but has more interior space and better towing, which is a plus for me. Overall length for it is no longer than my Camry either.
#155 of 806
Well... by iluvmysephia1
Jun 09, 2007 (2:21 pm)
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they say that styling is a subjective kind of a thing and it must be.
 
Because Mazda styling, though not ugly, has always had a "blocky-chunky" sort of a look to me and Kia has always had a smoother, more inventive look that involved a higher degree of intelligence to design it.
 
Therefore, it required a higher degree of intelligence to notice it.
 
With the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo the same formula holds true. The Rondo wins hands down in the styling department. Kia is there right now for quality, design innovation, value and low initial pricing. True, Kia pricing is rising, but most everyone's pricing is rising a tad. Oh, and Mazda's Warranty just doesn't cut the mustard to go with my Chicago hot dog, either.
#156 of 806
Re: compared them at the auto show [arumage] by coolmazda5
Jun 09, 2007 (3:05 pm)
Reply

Replying to: arumage (Jun 09, 2007 10:05 am)

Thanks Arumage, you seem to have your case so best of luck!
 
It is interesting to see the "2nd car need" to ride. My earlier "5 adult - one baby" case was about to also become a "We need 2 cars" case as well. Surprisingly the huge Graco stroller fit in the back of the 3rd row, so one car was needed at the end. My family is tall as well (e.g. brother 6'2", me 5'11")...
 
The only other thing I noted is your concern for the fuel economy (who isn't nowadays ?) so I'll just point you to the article below about the Rondo's V6 option (I read this on a non-Edmunds blog earlier but it seems that the article is there as well). 15MPG City is a real gas guzzler for a car that size, so if you go for the Rondo, you better consider the 4cyl option
 
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/04/suburban_dad_20_1.html

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